💙 International Being You Day: The World Doesn't Need Another Copy: It Needs You 💙

💙 Be yourself. The people who matter won't ask you to change who you are. This International Being You Day, embrace what makes you unique and have the courage to #ChooseHealth by living authentically. 💙

Hello Operation Flourish Fam!

If you've followed Operation Flourish for any length of time, you've probably noticed a theme: I believe each of us has unique gifts, talents, and experiences that can make the world a little brighter. That's why International Being You Day is one of my favorite celebrations. It's a reminder that we don't have to fit into someone else's mold to flourish.

But if I'm being honest, that hasn't always been easy.

As a little girl, I had absolutely no concern for what anyone thought about me. My mom encouraged my imagination, and I took full advantage of it! It wasn't unusual for me to insist on wearing a giraffe costume to the grocery store, dress as a Dalmatian for a trip to the park, or head out in public as Cinderella, Dora the Explorer, Winnie the Pooh, or whatever character had captured my heart that week.

I wasn't trying to make a statement: I was simply being me!

I didn't worry if people stared. I didn't wonder if my outfit was "cool." I wasn't concerned about fitting in because I hadn't learned that lesson yet.

Then came the teenage years.

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us receive the message that blending in is safer than standing out. We become more aware of what people think. We compare ourselves to classmates, teammates, coworkers, and even strangers on social media. We start editing ourselves to fit the expectations of others.

I certainly did: I wanted to fit in. I wanted people to like me. I worried about saying the wrong thing, wearing the wrong thing, or standing out for the wrong reasons. Like so many people, I discovered the exhausting cycle of people-pleasing.

The problem with people-pleasing is that eventually, you can lose sight of who you're trying to please and who you actually are.

The truth is, no matter how hard you try, you can't make everyone happy.

✨ Someone will think you're too loud.

✨ Someone else will think you're too quiet.

✨ Someone will think you dream too big.

✨ Someone else will think you play it too safe.

If you spend your life trying to meet everyone's expectations, you'll never have the chance to become the person you were created to be.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned through the Miss America Opportunity and through building Operation Flourish is that authenticity attracts the right people.

The people who truly belong in your life won't ask you to shrink yourself.

✨ They'll celebrate your quirks.

✨ They'll encourage your passions.

✨ They'll support your dreams.

✨ They'll love the things that make you uniquely you.

And if someone has a problem with who you are?

They're simply not your people.

That doesn't mean we stop growing or learning. It means we grow into the best version of ourselves instead of trying to become someone else.

At Operation Flourish, our five pillars of #ChooseHealth remind us that authenticity isn't just good for our hearts: it's good for our overall well-being.

Joyful Movement

✨ Move your body because it brings you joy, not because you're trying to look like someone else. Dance, hike, swim, walk, or play. Your health journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

Balanced Nutrition

✨ Fuel your body instead of following every trend you see online. Healthy choices should support your unique needs and lifestyle.

Restorative Sleep

✨ Stop losing sleep over what other people think. Give yourself permission to unplug from comparison and prioritize rest.

Mindful Mental Health

✨ Practice self-compassion. Set healthy boundaries. Remember that saying "no" doesn't make you selfish: it allows you to protect your peace.

Avoiding Risk Behaviors

✨ Peer pressure doesn't end after high school. Throughout life, we'll face moments where we're encouraged to compromise our values to fit in. Choosing health means having the courage to make decisions that align with who you are.

One of my favorite things about looking back on those childhood memories is realizing that little Kayla had something figured out that many adults forget.

✨ She wasn't worried about fitting in.

✨ She was busy imagining, creating, exploring, and enjoying life.

✨ She wore the costume.

✨ She played the part.

✨ She smiled for the pictures.

✨ She had fun.

Maybe International Being You Day is an invitation to reconnect with that childlike confidence.

✨ Wear the bright colors.

✨ Take the dance class.

✨ Try the new hobby.

✨ Speak up for what you believe.

✨ Laugh loudly.

✨ Dream boldly.

✨ Be kind.

✨ Be genuine.

✨ Be wonderfully, unapologetically yourself.

Because the world already has enough copies.

It only has one you.

And that's exactly who it needs.

Cheerfully yours,

Kayla Myers

#InternationalBeingYouDay #ChooseHealth #OperationFlourish #BeYourself #Authenticity #MentalHealthMatters #SelfAcceptance #Confidence #PeoplePleasingRecovery #HealthyBoundaries #MissIndiana #MissAmerica #FlourishTogether #JoyfulLiving #LiveAuthentically

P.S.

Today, I challenge you to do one thing that your younger self would have loved without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

✨ Wear the fun outfit.

✨ Sing the song.

✨ Dance in the kitchen.

✨ Pick up the hobby.

✨Share your dream.

And if you're feeling brave, tell me in the comments:

What "giraffe costume" 🦒 have you been afraid to wear?

Let's encourage one another to #ChooseHealth and flourish by being exactly who we were meant to be.